Preferred Tax Relief / False Advertising

This began in March 2008. I called PTR because they advertised that they can reduce your tax debt. I first talked to a Kevin Logan, he stated that they work with the IRS and can resolve the issue, for a payment of $3500 to get the ball rolling. After I sent in the money (which was the last of my savings) I next was turned over to a Dave Beccerril who did absoulutely nothing. When I complained I was then given to a Patricia Lopez who came up with an OFFER IN COMPROMISE where I would owe $9000 out of $20, 000 which sounded good, however I would have to pay $1500 up front plus IRS fee of $150 then $1875 /mo for four months. I explained th them that I am already paying $350/ mo and that I am having trouble paying that and asked them is there any other way this can be paid? Never heard from them again, so I filer a complaint with the BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. A week later I received a call from this guy who said his name was Dillion that he is an attorney and represents PTR. He wanted to worked this out, he also wanted me to withdraw the complaint, which I sent BBB a statement saying I was contacted and they were working on it.

My first mistake was falling for their line and paying them $3500, the second was believing that they were actually going to help me. I believe that I should get a refund because they did not do what their Ads say, so I consider it fraud. PTR ( Preferred Tax Relief ) is the name of the company and anybody who runs into them stay away, don't be a sap like me and fall for it.

Comments

As a case worker at Preferred Tax Relief, I can tell you without speaking specifically about this gentleman's case (unless he gives us permission) that many people get help from our firm in the form of settlements, reductions, payment plans, reduced or eliminated penalties, time to regroup, and general IRS expertise. Ex-IRS attorneys and ex-IRS CPAs are going to get you the best financial scenario, but only within IRS guidelines. Many people come to us late in the game with a dire tax situation and we are forced to perform triage, if you will, and most of the time they are up and around in no time at all. This gentleman, who is obviously not happy (and for that I am sorry) thinks the IRS should be even more flexible and forgiving (hey, so do we) and has transferred his anger to us when it should be aimed at the IRS (if you could get someone there on the phone who can actually do anything). We make mistakes, but like any attorney firm we strive to make it right when it happens. All in all, most of our clients are very happy and relieved with our help. We are ready willing and able to get a resolution on his case. 800-515-1154.

I had a similar experience with ptr. I provided them everything they asked for on time, and they lied to me about even having spoken to my IRS and state tax reps, and eventually inaccurately told the IRS I was out of business, causing HUGE problems for me. Since cutting PTR loose, and finding another company, I have gotten payment agreements and am comfortably resolving the situation. PTR jerked me around for six months, another company got their mess undone and resolved the situation in 45 days. If you have already give them your money, call your IRS rep personally and verify what you're hearing from PTR. PTR will most likely advise you not to, but you will most likely find that you are being represented poorly, if at all.

I signed up with PTR for a fee of $3500 early late in January in order to settle my deceased father's back taxes. My father did not file for several years leading up to his death, and I made sure that PTR was fully aware of this. Today my wife received a call from "Bob Hanna", a name I noticed is mentioned on other fraud alert websites. He asked my wife if my father had filed his 2005 taxes and if he didn't then we would have to pay more money. PTR sells themselves as a "flat fee" service that handles all communication and correspondence with the IRS until settlement. So far they have done absolutely nothing but add unneeded stress to my life.
I called PTR tonight, as they are based in Los Angleles. I guy named Matt Jones started my case off for me so I asked for him. The guy on the other end replied "speaking." When I told him my name he said he was not actually Matt Jones but someone else and he transferred me to the voice I was familiar with! What is the firm all about!? It smells like a bunch of hocus pocus to me! If you are thinking of tax relief, you are probably better off dealing with the IRS yourself. I'm going after my $3500. I will be back to post in regards to my success.

We would be happy to open the contents of these cases to the public so any one who is interested can see both sides -- if they do indeed have a case with us (instead of being smeared by a competitor - it's very easy to do when you're anonymous. Common sense will tell you an active client does not talk like this).

We've helped thousands of people out of their tough tax situations, and there are always a few apples like this in any barrel. A fair airing of their records should show that.

I just read both of your "boilerplate" responses to the VALID complaints against your utterly disgraceful tax relief company and I couldn't help but laugh. I do agree with you that we, as clients, contact you during unfavorable times and therefore are not the most happy people. That being said, I find it amusing how the language in your rebuttal on this website is an exact replica of your company's rebuttals on other websites. For example, read your company's response to the compaint on this site - /URL removed/

Sound familiar? I bet it does. Your company recites the same lines about your clients coming to you "ten minutes before the 12th hour" and how your company does everything they can to help, but it's the mean IRS that is to blame. I wonder if your company has a standard response that you post on all complaint boards. What a bunch of cookie-cuter [censored].

Stop with the lies and take a moment to look in the mirror. You should be ashamed to work for such crooks. Have some self-respect and leave the company. Find a real job. Preferred Tax Relief is the tax company version of JT Marlin from the movie Boiler Room (for those of you thinking of hiring PTR, watch Boiler Room first, then reevaluate your options). PTR feeds their clients so much propoganda you would think they were a governmental agency.

Beware of this company. Just like a senior sweet-talking a freshman on prom night, they feed you all the lines when you initially speak to them. They butter you up, telling you they can solve ALL your issues. They remind you that they worked for the IRS and they know everything. HA. I can assure you of this - once they have your money, you will NEVER get treated with respect, and good luck trying to obtain the status of your case. Speaking of money, you may want to read the complaints all over the internet about how PTR likes to draft funds from their client's bank accounts in excess of the authroized amount.

All PTR wants is your money. After that, you have to live with the fact that you were taken in a scam while the IRS is still breathing down your neck. If you made the mistake of hiring these a$$ clowns, don't ever call to talk to someone about your case and express any anger about the lack of progress. PTR employees will scold you as if you're their 16 year old child who just borrowed the car, without permission, for an all-nighter with your friends.

It's rather remarkable at how well they can ignore your vaild compliants and continue on with life as if your case never existed. Hell, half the "attorneys" you talk to don't even know who you are. You have to constantly remind them about the facts of your case and why you're calling. And let's face it, we're not talking about a company the size of McDonalds, where it's acceptable that the employees don't know the names of their customers. This is PTR, a small quack-shack company that knows how to allievate your tax issues about as well as the Enron Corporation knew how to handle accounting.

I spoke with a Matt Damon at PTR on Dec. 2008 who promised a boatload of representation and assistance on getting tax relief for my back-taxes. I paid him $3, 500.00. I heard absolutely nothing from PTR and so I hounded them via phone, email and fax every month. Finally, an idiot by the name of Malachy Dillon claimed he was my attorney. He was a no show to 3 scheduled calls which I arranged with his equally idiot staff/admins their names (Helen Paz and Karina Rayo). When I finally had a chance to get a hold of him after 4 months, he knew absolutely nothing about my case and claimed that work would be done. I escalated my issues and was tossed about over and over till I ended up on the line with a Robert "Bob" Hanna. He claimed he would get his "best attorney" to assist me "Attorney Leo" his full name is Gumecindo Leal. PTR did nothing since Dec. 2008 which was why the IRS also intercepted my Year 2008 tax refund which I desperately needed on May 2009. After my refund was taken away by the IRS, somehow, I received more letters stating that I owed even more money on back-taxes plus interest. I contacted PTR and they had no idea what was going on with my case.

I contacted PTR over and over and demanded to know exactly what they had done to deserve my $3, 500 and they claimed they were in process of completing my Penalty Abatement. I asked them to show me a log or copies of all filings on my behalf and Bob Hanna from PTR claimed my case was closed - that they had done what they were supposed to and HUNG UP THE PHONE ON ME. I immediately called back and also demanded to know who his supervisor was for the lack of service, unprofessionalism and pure incompetence. They refused to answer my calls, emails or letters. I now have several deadlines looming to pay back or respond to not only IRS, but State, with no assistance from PTR what-so-ever.

They are thieves and I am contacting BBB as well as any/all media to get these goons out of business.

If "Jerome Johnson" will reveal his real name and allow us to reveal the details of his case including his actions that led to his delinquent tax debt, we will be able to detail more than "cookie cutter" facts.

This company is not really what it claims to be. The customer service in absolutely HORRIFIC. How can any company possibly do business if they don't communicate with their clients? I have repeatedly attempted to obtain a simple status of my account, to no avail. How hard can it be? And who is our "Personal Case Manager"? If there is such a person, shouldn't he be in touch with me every so often, or at least call or email me back?

I really am starting to suspect that PTR is staffed with an extremely aggressive sales staff who over promises what results they can achieve with the IRS on the client's behalf, a very young and inexperienced "support" staff who seem to just pick up the phone and gather client files (not sure anyone ever looks at them - either the staff doesn't have the time or they don't have the skill/knowledge), and one or a couple of overworked CPA's with WAY to many cases (I think? can't get him to call me back...?)

We have dealt with the IRS ourselves before and it has worked out just fine. I just wish we would have dealt directly with them ourselves this time too. Would have saved us a LOT of money. And heart-ache -- we would actually know what is happening with out tax debt.

I called PTR last year and was told that for paying 2500 I could get a significant reduction in my tax bill. I was told they would contact the IRS immediately after my first payment of 1, 000 and use the power of attorney to freeze my account and stop them from communicating with me. They lied. The IRS contacted me after that and they had not been contacted at all by PTR. I checked back and still nothi g. Consequently I stopped the next payment and dealt with the IRS myself. I contacted PTR to see what they had to say and Matt was as rude as he could possibly be. He said he had proof he contacted the IRS but didn't careto provide it to me and didn't seem to care. I told him I would persue a statement from the IRS that no one has spoken or acted on my behalf and he basicly said go ahead. I will file a complaint with the BBB as well tomorrow but want to say that my issue is real. For all of the individuals that have proof f payment to PTR and didn't receive services we should get an attorney together and file a class action suit. Perhaps we will get some help then.

I must first say that I have no affiliation with PTR and do not care to. I work in the same industry, Tax Representation, and am amazed by the lack of quality representation that many firms display and the total lack of quality customer service. When dealing with a client at one of their most difficult financial situations, simple respect should be shown. I do agree with "Mr. Kinderly" that sometimes clients transpose their frustrations on individuals who work their cases, however treating them with the same verbage in which "Mr. Kinderly" has responded to this complaint board is simple unexceptable.

Tax Representation is a service that many Americans seek out and a service that (if done correctly) can truly put a clients mind at ease and be extremely beneficial. However, companies that quote outcomes and tax savings on an initial consultation is gravely irresponsible because all the facts are not present. How can a 15 minute consultation prove a $XX settlement amount, Penalty Abatement, or $XX tax savings?? It cannot because no information has been obtained from the IRS and an accurate reflection of a taxpayer's account has not been analyzed. Many different factors are involved with each specific case and generally when a client calls such a firm, they do not have all accurate information readily available for a proper consultation.

My advice to consumers who are needing proper representation before the IRS and state taxing authorities is to do their due-diligence. Check out a few companies and for those who are providing services that feel "to good to be true, " then make a good decision on whether to proceed.

As I stated I in the beginning, I work in the Tax Representation industry and am a member of a small firm in Greensboro, NC. Our website is www.taxic.org and our toll free number is (800) 439-9930.

You asked for my real name in your post, well, I gave it to you when I made my first complaint. My name is Jerome Johnson, 37 year old male from North Carolina. I am sure that you, just like everyone one else at Preferred Tax Relief, don't remember who I am. I can't even recall how many times I had to explain my situation to your employees when I called your office (at least 4 different times). Either your company's turnover rate is higher than Chili's Restaurant, or your employees just don't pay attention to your clients. I am sure it's the latter.

Anyway, I give you full authority to discuss the details of my case here on this forum. Better, yet, I will do it for you as I am sure you are too busy lying to new clients and defending your company's deceptive business practices. I came to PTR in 2007 because I needed help dealing with the IRS. I did not pay my taxes for a year and thus, owed the IRS money, about $8, 000. PTR, from the first moment I spoke with them, assured me that they could reduce my tax liability to NO MORE THAN $2, 500.

I know that I am the only one to blame for my failure to pay taxes. I do not harbor any ill feelings towards PTR because I owed money to the IRS. Hell, perhaps I am to blame for believing the lies I was spoon-fed. However, I called what I believe to be the "professionals" for assistance. Little did I know I was dealing with liars.

After PTR received their $2, 500 fee from me, I would periodically call PTR to inquire about the status of my case. EVERY TIME, after I had to explain who I was and why I was calling, I would get the same response, "We are currently in the process of negotiating a settlement with the IRS." So, I believed what I was told. But what PTR failed to mention was that they are worthless sacks of [censored] that prey on their victims', whoops, I mean clients', lack of Federal Tax Law knowledge and thus, make extraordinary promises that cannot be fulfilled.

For example, I was told by Matt Jones, that I would be able to reduce my tax liability by over 2/3rds (from about $8, 000 to no more than $2, 500). I now know that such a feat is impossible, because it would require the IRS to reduce not only my penalies and interest, but the principal amount of tax that I owed for the 2006 tax year. The IRS does NOT, EVER, reduce your principal tax liability. Look it up. Consult with a CPA. I wish I would have before I was sucked in to the PTR web of deceit.

Again, I guess that is my own fault for wanting to believe what I was told. You know the phrase, "If it sounds too good to be true, then it is!" Damn, I really wish I would have listened to that advice back in 2007.
Not only did PTR fail to reduce my tax liability to under $2, 500, but I ended up owing the IRS more than $8, 000 because of additional penalties and interest that accrued while PTR was "supposedly" negotiating a settlement.

Moral of the story - just like the others on this site have proclaimed, PTR is a fraudulently managed company. They encourage their staff to reel in prospective clients with bold-faced lies and then quickly shift blame on their clients for their failure to live up to their promises. Do your research before you hire these crooks. If I was the only person complaining about PTR, then yes, perhaps you would be inclined to listen to Mr. Kinderly's weak attempts to defend PTR. But I am not the only one complaining. Google, "PTR complaints" or "PTR scams" and you will see what I mean. PTR = liars.

I just got off the phone with PTR and spoke to a Mike Hill... Something just didn't add up, he sounded like a car sales person! To tell you the truth I almost fell for it, thank GOD it decided to look around a little more and also googled PTR!!! Thanks to everyone, and there coments about PTR... I'm already in a world of hurt with the IRS, I don't need a fake company in my life...Thanks again for the coments!
To: Mike Hill ... Good Try buddy, almost had me... almost is not good enough, get a real job and life! ;-)

My dad going through the same thing with PTR or is it NOW called "Loyal Tax Resolution"
My question is, have any legal actions been filed against them? How can I find out? Plus how can he join the band wagon against these crooks if so?

I cannot express how glad I am that you did your due diligence and researched PTR before hiring them. That should make all of us victims feel a little better knowing that we are helping put an end to the unethical, illegitimate and illegal practices of PTR. I believe a round of applause is owed to everyone on this thread. Well, everyone except Mr. Kinderly.

Speaking of Mr. Kinderly, I find rather unusual that he was so quick to defend PTR, but the moment I listed the facts of my case, he simply disappeared. Coincidence? Of course not. There is no rebuttal against the truth. Game over Mr. Kinderly. TKO.

"Crook Hater, " I am really sorry to hear about your father's woes with PTR. Like you, I was upset and angry at PTR. And rightfully so. However, unlike so many others, I didn't just let this company get the upperhand. I contacted my attorney and was ready to spend thousands in litigation fees to recover the $2, 500 PTR stole from me.

I don't know if the laws here in NC are different than where you live, but my attorney was very successful in handling this matter. In fact, not only did my attorney recover the money I paid to PTR plus additional funds, she did so without even filing a lawsuit! That just shows you that PTR knows full well if this matter went to court, there would be no way to rationally defend their deceptive trade practices.

So, to all those that fell victim to PTR...CALL AN ATTORNEY TODAY and get back what PTR scammed from you. The piece of mind I have knowing that in the end, I beat these [censor], allows me to sleep peacefully every night. It has become my mission to help others who suffered the same fate as I did. Listen to my story, heed my warnings and take my advice. Best of luck to all of you.

My name is Sherry. I have been dealing with PTR since January of '09 with my back tax problem. I too spoke with a Matt Jones. He promised that I would have my tax problem solved for pennies on the dollar. I owed about $17, 000.00 in taxes...told me they could settle my debt for about 2 to 3 grand. Because I had never been in the situation, I was just glad to hear I could get relief...NOT! Just to make a long story short...I owe over twice the amount currently owed and they terminated their service contracr without prior written or verbal notification. Now I've placed a complaint with the BBB and have to start all over again seeking LEGITIMATE legal representation, short of $3, 500.00 +... BS!!!

My name is Charles Hutto.I am not concerned with the repercussions of my beliefs, statements and accusations of Preferred Tax Relief.I would be happy to share whatever information is required/requested to put these thieves out of business.As a matter of fact if anyone would be willing to assist me with the information to locate the owners and lying employees of this outfit I would gladly provide thier PERSONAL answer as to why they believe it is O.K. to steal your money, lie to you, cheat you, treat you as though you were a clown, ignore and break all laws concerning legal agreements and act as [censor]s in general.
As you can tell I was a client/customer/target/mark/chump of these lowlifes.The way our legal structure is in this country it unfortunately forces you to pay someone to do legally in the court system what you should morally have the right to do own your own.
I would NEVER threaten anyone with physical violence because I am a law abiding, peaceful, loving person.And Lord knows I would love to meet the owners and employees of Preferred Taax Relief to express my feelings for them.
This forum allows you to attach photos but the photos of me baring my [censor] to PTR would probably offend you, so they are thankfully NOT attached.

I would not want anything i have stated to be misconstrued as a fondness for PTR so in conclusion I would onle say...[censor] 'EM!!!

I am so thankful to have found all of this information about Preferred Tax Relief! I have felt I was losing my mind after retaining this company in November, 2007. I started out with Attorney Dillon, Mick Woods, Karina Reyo, Bernado, etc. They took $7, 500.00 out of my bank account right away and promised that the taxes I owed on retirement money I had received from my ex-husband would be greatly reduced. I had to fight for 2 years just to get the retirement money. Then my ex had his stock broker send the check to the 2nd attorney I had to hire during our divorce. This attorney just sent me the check and I was never told by any plan administrator that I had to invest, etc, this money within 60 days or owe taxes on full amount. I will admit I have been dumb about finances. My ex-husband is a physician and very controlling. He wanted me to stay at home and raise our 3 children and I was very happy to do that. I always felt very fortunate. Then when our marriage was breaking up and he got involved with an old friend of ours, he was out to screw me over. He had even remarried the old friend before he had finished up giving me everything I was to receive from our divorce 2 years before! I was so devastated by the divorce and what it had done to our family and when I found that I owed tons of taxes on the retirement money, I turned to Preferred Tax Relief. I wanted so much to believe that there was help out there. Boy, was I stupid! I have heard every excuse in the book and I truly wish I could go back and just retain a local attorney to have helped me with this. I would be happy to join any class action suit that anyone wants to start up regarding this company. I would also be so happy to talk on the phone with people who have been scammed by this company. Right now I am dealing with Liz Gonsalves at Preferred Tax Relief. She will ask for documents, etc. and I provide them. Then she will say that she has worked hard for a resolution and that I have not provided the needed documents and that I should be charged more for their services. She just sent me a stinging email on December 20, 2010 saying that I must submit the documents she needs by December 27, 2010 or they may have to charge me more or drop my case. Does anyone have any advice for me? I am so worn out and I don't know where to turn. Should I deal with the IRS directly? I am to the point where being put in jail for not paying taxes really would not matter to me. This has been truly exhausting. It makes you feel like you are losing your mind!

Please do not use PTR. I gave them $4000.00 to help me with my IRS problem. In 2009 I contacted them and they wrote a letter that I could have wrote myself. As of 2011 I still owe the IRS and now I am on my own with the IRS. They did nothing to reduce my amount that I owe. Go to the IRS office there is a form you can fill out and save your $4000.00!!! I wish I had read all of the complaints before I called. LESSON LEARNED!!!

I owe the IRS a lot of money and Ive always made payment arrangements however when i saw them on CNN and they said they could make payments lower I called. They said I was a perfect candidate since I kept up with all my payments. First, i worked with a Sam miller then Bryon called and said he had the case then on Jan 17th I received a letter from the IRS giving me a letter of intent to levy. i called Bryon no answer but marco answered and said no worries well call Freiday however Friday came and went then i called they said Bryon was on a family leave but janet has my case. They said she was reviewing it but new nothing about my case. i told janet and Marco i was calling The IRS they said, "NO', they will say they never talked to us. Then my credit union called and said this is not right something wrong with the company. They are trying to get my money back. I called the IRS and they readily put me on a payment plan I had to revked the power of attorney as requested by the IRS and closed my bank accounts. Can you imagine if I would have trusted these people they would have garnihed 2500.00 dollars from my account I would have lost everything and I have a family to support. Please dont let this happen to you theIRS will work with you as long as you dont ignore them. I owe $40, 000 dollars and they worked with me dont let this company do this to you!!!